In the quest for sun protection, it's crucial to be mindful of the ingredients in the sunscreen products we use regularly. This is because sunscreen is a skincare essential that should be applied daily to protect your skin. However, many conventional sunscreens contain harmful substances and additives that can pose risks to both our health and the environment, emphasizing the need for safer, eco-friendly sunscreens that avoid such additives. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of choosing non-toxic sunscreen options for safer and more eco-friendly sun protection, and five safe sunscreen brands.
It's vital to understand the health and environmental risks associated with conventional sunscreens containing substances like those highlighted below:
Oxybenzone: This common sunscreen ingredient is easily absorbed through the skin and is potentially linked to hormone disruption, especially in children, though more research is required to determine its full health effects. [1] The main issue with oxybenzone is that it causes significant coral reef damage, necessitating a reevaluation of many sunscreen formulations. [2] Furthermore, there is insufficient data regarding the full health impacts of other ultraviolet (UV) protection ingredients similar to oxybenzone including avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and others, but it is likely that many of them cause irritation and may be linked to endocrine disruption (interfere with hormones). [3] If concerned about the unknown impacts of chemical sunscreens, choose a mineral sunscreen that uses either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for UV protection, but be mindful as all sunscreens have inhalation concerns when used in spray or powder form. [4]
Benzene: Benzene is sometimes a contaminant that is found in sunscreen, but it is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing) and can lead to other health concerns. [5] [6] The tricky part is that since benzene is a contaminant, it will not be listed on the ingredient list, which is why it is essential to choose reputable sunscreen brands for the safest sun protection products.
Parabens (Preservatives): Parabens are commonly found in food, beverages, household products, and more. They're frequently used in skincare items such as sunscreen to prolong shelf life and inhibit bacterial growth. Parabens are beneficial in preventing the growth of mold and bacteria in products, but it's important to be cautious of excessive exposure to them as they may be linked to endocrine disruption. [7] Be aware, products labeled as paraben-free are not always safer, as standard parabens may be replaced by other concerning ingredients or less effective ingredients with regards to preservation.
Nanoparticles (nano zinc oxide & nano titanium dioxide): Nanoparticles are used to make sunscreen more transparent and easier to apply, but the concern is that these nanoparticles may be carcinogenic and have the ability to be absorb into the bloodstream, causing concern with long-term use. [8] However, much is still unknown about these nanoparticles and more studies are necessary to understand their full impact.
Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): These are human-created, toxic fluorinated chemicals found almost everywhere and are commonly present in sunscreen to make it water resistant, but PFAS can build up in our bodies as well as the environment. These chemicals are linked to several health concerns including reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, different types of cancer, and much more. [9]
The above list explores many of the key harmful additives often found in sunscreen, but it only scratches the surface. Furthermore, some chemical compounds like oxybenzone that are present in traditional sunscreen products have been linked to the bleaching of coral reefs. [10] More research is required to fully understand the impact of additives in sunscreens on coral reefs, but it’s important to seek out eco-friendly sunscreen to reduce adverse environmental impacts. Keep in mind, there is no regulation for the term ‘reef safe’ that is often displayed on many sunscreen labels. [11]
The best way to ensure you are supporting sustainable sunscreen brands is to look for options with sustainably harvested ingredients, choose sunscreen that’s free of nanoparticles, parabens, and oxybenzone, and select companies that uphold environmental best practices throughout the manufacturing process of their products. By prioritizing non-toxic sunscreen choices, we can enjoy sun protection without compromising our health or the planet.
Top Non-Toxic Sunscreen
Choosing non-toxic sunscreen is essential for protecting our health and the environment, but it can be difficult to find brands that prioritize safe sunscreen ingredients with so many options available. First, make sure you choose a sunscreen that blocks both Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Second, select a sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or higher. Lastly, prioritize the use of non-toxic ingredients in your sun care products. Opting for mineral-based sunscreen options like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide provides effective UV protection with less environmental impact and health risks.
In addition, avoid using sunscreen that’s a powder or spray as they can increase your exposure to harmful substances due to the likelihood of being inhaled. Considering these factors, I've compiled a list of the top non-toxic sunscreens on the market. The five sunscreen options below provide some of the best options available for chemical-free sunscreen.
Please note, it’s always safer to use sunscreen than to not, so make sure anytime you head out in the sun, you have sunscreen available and speak with your dermatologist about which sunscreen is best for you. Also, though sunscreen is essential, the best way to protect your skin from the sun is to wear protective clothing, seek out shade, and avoid sunlight at peak exposure hours and.
Badger’s mineral zinc oxide sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, and uses primarily organic ingredients. Additionally, all of their sunscreen is certified as non-nano, which you can learn more about here. They use uncoated zinc oxide as their active sunscreen ingredient, which is a clear zinc oxide that’s formed of large particles (between ~500 and 9000 nanometers), meaning no nanoparticles are present. This unscented mineral sunscreen is labeled as reef friendly sunscreen. I followed up with them and confirmed that their sunscreen is free of any parabens. Also, though they do not test for PFAS, none of their ingredients contain PFAS and they do not use fluoropolymer coatings in their manufacturing or packaging materials.
Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen Ingredients:
Mineral Zinc Oxide (18.75%)
Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Beeswax
Sunflower Vitamin E (derived solely from sunflower oil)
Organic Seabuckthorn Extract (fruit extract ranked as low hazard by the Environmental Working Group (EWG))
Two Peas Organics offers a sunscreen that’s made with non-nano (no nanoparticles) zinc oxide that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and is labeled as coral reef safe. Their sunscreen is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum and 1,4-dioxane (likely carcinogenic substance). Additionally, they prioritize only using natural ingredients in their sunscreens.
Two Peas Unscented Sunscreen Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide (20%)
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil (oil that’s extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis and is considered a low hazard ingredient by EWG)
Beeswax*
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) (natural chemical compounds with low endocrine disruption and high contamination concerns, and ranked as overall low hazard by EWG in regulated amounts)
*Organic
True Natural SPF 50 Sunscreen (Vegan)
True Natural has one of the only vegan sunscreens that’s made with relatively safe ingredients that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Also, their sunscreen uses nanoparticle free zinc and nanoparticle free titanium. I followed up with them to learn more about this product. Their sunscreen is free of benzene, synthetic fragrance, and petroleum. As they do not use synthetic ingredients, it's unlikely that their sunscreen contains PFAS, but they do not perform testing to ensure that no PFAS are present.
True Natural Sunscreen Ingredients:
Titanium Dioxide (6.0%),
Zinc Oxide (22.5%)
Aqua (Deionized Water)
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract (extract from tea plants with moderate allergies/immunotoxicity and use restrictions, and is considered a low to moderate hazard ingredient by EWG in regulated amounts)
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil (oil from the leaves of Eucalyptus with enhanced skin absorption, moderate use restrictions, and low Irritation, and ranked as a moderate risk ingredient by EWG in regulated amounts)
Glycerin (vegetable derived alcohol compound with moderate use restriction, and ranked as low hazard by EWG when used in regulated amounts)
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Sunflower Lecithin (thickening agent)
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil
Tocopherol (Vitamin-E) (natural chemical compounds with low endocrine disruption and high contamination concerns, and ranked as overall low hazard by EWG in regulated amounts)
Xanthan Gum (a sugar-based polymer ranked as a low hazard ingredient by EWG in regulated amounts)
Waxhead’s sunscreen is certified organic and provides both UVA and UVB Protection. Their sunscreen is free of benzene, petroleum, and other harmful toxins. They prioritized using minimally processed ingredients as well as a minimal amount of ingredients in their sunscreen. Learn more about their ingredients here. The active sunscreen ingredient is non-nano (no nanoparticles), uncoated, French process Zinc Oxide, and is labeled as coral reef-safe. I reached out to them to learn more about their sunscreen. Currently, they do not test for PFAS as none of their processing methods expose the ingredients to PFAS and due to this, their biochemist said that PFAS are not a concern in their formulas.
Waxhead Natural Sunscreen Stick Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide (25%)
Organic Coconut Oil
Organic Beeswax
Organic Vanilla Extract
Butterbeans Organics offers sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and is certified organic. Their organic sunscreen is free of harsh chemicals and preservatives while being labeled as reef safe. Also, the active sunscreen ingredient is non-nano particle (nanoparticle free), uncoated pure zinc oxide.
Butterbean Organics Simple Sunscreen Ingredients:
Non-nano Uncoated Zinc Oxide (22%)
Olea europaea (Olive Fruit) Oil*
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil (oil from the seeds of meadowfoam plants and ranked as a low hazard ingredient by EWG)
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*
Butyrospermum Parkii (Fair Trade Shea) Butter*
Cera Alba (Beeswax)*
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*
Tocopherol (Sunflower derived Vitamin E)
*Certified Organic Ingredients
Available on their website.
The above non-toxic sunscreen alternatives safeguard your skin and the planet, underlining the importance of making informed choices regarding your sun care products. These safer and more eco-friendly sunscreens not only protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, but also provide sunscreen options that minimize impact on the environment. Let's embrace safer and more sustainable sunscreen options for a brighter and healthier future under the sun.
References
Комментарии